What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the ...
The Rig Vedic and Avestan languages are essentially the same, with very minor differences in grammar. They share a common vocabulary in the fields of mythology, ritual, culture, and religious practices
This question is part of UPSC exam. View all UPSC courses
What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the ...
The belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race is based on several grounds. One of the key pieces of evidence is the close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of the Avesta.
Similarity between the Vedic and Avestan Language:
- The Vedas are the ancient scriptures of the Vedic Aryans, while the Avesta is the sacred text of the ancient Iranians. Linguistically, both texts belong to the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.
- The grammatical structure, vocabulary, and phonetic similarities between the Vedic Sanskrit of the Vedas and the Avestan language of the Avesta suggest a common linguistic origin.
- Linguists have identified numerous cognate words and grammatical features shared between the two languages, indicating a close linguistic relationship. These similarities support the idea that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans had a shared ancestry.
Historical References:
- The religious literature of the ancient Iranians, particularly the Avesta, makes references to their migration from the northwestern regions to the Iranian plateau.
- The Rigveda, one of the oldest Vedic texts, also mentions the migration of the Vedic Aryans from their original homeland to the Indian subcontinent.
- These references indicate a shared history and migration patterns, suggesting a common racial and cultural background.
Cultural and Environmental Factors:
- The Vedic Aryans were familiar with the flora and fauna of the ancient Iranian region, which is evident from references in the Rigveda to rivers, mountains, and plants that are geographically located in Iran.
- Similarly, the Avesta contains references to the geography and natural features of the Indian subcontinent, indicating knowledge and interaction with the Vedic Aryans.
- These cultural and environmental similarities further support the idea of a shared racial and ancestral connection between the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans.
In conclusion, the belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race is based on the close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of the Avesta, as well as references in religious literature and shared cultural and environmental factors. These multiple grounds provide substantial evidence for a common racial and ancestral connection between these ancient Indo-Iranian groups.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.